January 2016

Benjamin - "Look Mom, I made a J for Judah"

Jan 3rd

Judah turned one month on my half-birthday : )

He has been getting plenty of love from his big sister

Benjamin's favorite spot during tummy time

Hannah's happy place

A little light reading over breakfast

Benjamin loves looking at, acting like, and talking about animals

Some days this month were beautiful and everything seemed to go as planned

Other days were more like this

and this...

PSA - Bouncy balls and a room full of windows is a bad idea

We have another addition to our family

Frank's buck he shot with a bow this year

Frank took Benjamin on a little adventure this month. 

They drove 2.5hrs west into AR to buy a pig...

yes...a 350 pound pig...

but not as a pet...

It was for our freezer. 

Benjamin even helped with the processing of the meat.

Meanwhile I painted Hannah's toes : )

I literally have not cooked in 8 weeks. Not because I'm lazy, but because we have an amazing group of friends from our church, neighbors, and family who have provided meals to us. We have felt the outpouring of love through the Church. I can't thank them enough for blessing us these past weeks. 

Frank and I scored a pair of box seats to a Grizz Game. It was our first date out without any kids. We had a blast and enjoyed our time together.

We are so thankful for Nana and Pops watching our crew so we could get out!

We enjoyed a much needed play date with Maria and her kids

Hannah adores Julianna

First date night with all 10 kids

They watched the movie Inside Out in their PJs - It was a hit!

It made it much easier to get these two fed and to bed on time

Truth

The truth is...There is no one I'd rather do life with than this man.

Frank has been an all-star Dad/Husband these past 8 weeks! He has been so helpful and understanding as I have been adjusting to life with three kids. 

Life is so much sweeter with baby smiles

I attended a couponing class this month by one of the ladies from the TLC Extreme Couponing show. I was blown away by her system because it was so simple and took less time then I have been spending. My first trip to Kroger I saved $63 - That was 38% of my grocery bill!

Guest House Update:

We have walls!

I even helped Frank hang plywood on the ceiling downstairs.

Yes, I took a picture while holding my end up. 

Our goal is to be finished in the next couple of months - what a glorious day that will be!

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You may continue scrolling if you want to see more cute pics of Judah - otherwise you can stop reading now

December 2015

On Dec. 2nd I went to the Peabody Tea with Frank's mom and sister.

(You wouldn't know by the picture, but I was having mild contractions every 9 minutes- yikes!)

It was a lovely tea and I was thankful for the delicious food since it was the last thing I ate before labor and delivery! I want to make this a new holiday tradition...the Peabody Tea...not having a baby. 

After a long night Judah Coney Roberts was born 

December 3rd at 8:55am

7lbs 2oz and 19.5" long

Proud Daddy

Our first picture as a family of five

Hannah and Benjamin were excited when we brought Judah home

My parents came in town to help with the kids...

....and did a lot of baby holding so I could rest. 

I'm thankful for my mom who shopped, cooked, cleaned, played with the kids, prayed for me, held my fussy baby and gave me time to rest and recover! My mom truly has a servant-heart and time with her is priceless!

Benjamin giving Judah his first bottle

"Mommy, he's so cute and little. One day he will grow up and big and strong like me!"

If you think my hands are full you should see my heart!

Benjamin enjoys getting to be the big brother in the middle

Since the kids can't play with Judah yet we figured out how they could still play around him : )

Hannah's doll and Judah are about the same size!

She was thrilled to take her baby doll on a stroll too

Speaking of dolls! 

Hannah in a dress that was mine at her age.

(Thanks Aunt Becky for monograming it for us)

Caleb (3m) and Judah (2 weeks)

We pray they will be close friends like their brothers (Reece and Benjamin)

Benjamin was a big help decorating for Christmas

I hosted a fun manger paint party (before having Judah) with some of my friends

I loved how my project turned out!

In the morning Benjamin would have to find the start that I had hid in the house then bring it back to the board and say his verse. Sleep deprivation on my part kept this from happening every morning...but he would remind me to hide it during the day.

The kids loved making (and eating) star sugar cookies

Delivering neighbor gifts

Zoo Lights

Made some cute keepsake ornaments

Jesse Tree Advent Calendar

Each ornament represents a Bible story from Creation to Jesus' birth

I have enjoyed teaching the kids the big picture of the Bible

It's very special to have a baby boy at Christmas

A precious reminder of Christ's birth and how He came to live among us

We found out that the shoeboxes that we packed were sent to a village in Ghana. Christmas morning we looked at a map and talked about how those children would receive our gift and prayed for them to receive the Ultimate Gift of Jesus.

Christmas morning was fun as we opened gifts as a family

Then onto Nana and Pops' house for more festivities

We didn't get professional newborn pics but I attempted to take a few on my own...

Those toes!

Psalm 139:13

"For you formed my inward parts. You wove me in my mother's womb."

December has been an exhausting month with a whirlwind of having a newborn in the midst of the holidays. I'm tired but my heart is full. We are so thankful to God for our family and friends who have helped us with sweet gifts, delicious meals, and fun playdates for the kids! 

Y'all are the BEST - Thank you!

Reflecting on this past year it's amazing to see God's faithfulness, answered prayers, and how our family has changed. We are excited to what God will do in and through our family as we seek Him in the new year!